Fact-checking the 2024 Republican National Convention on Day 3
Welcome to the coverage of the 2024 Republican National Convention by CBS News. We are here to fact check some of the statements made by speakers during this event, which is currently ongoing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On the third day of the convention, JD Vance, the vice presidential nominee, took the stage to address the audience.
The theme for Wednesday was foreign policy, and many speakers seized the opportunity to criticize the Biden administration’s handling of national security. They argued that the nation would be stronger if former President Donald Trump were to be re-elected. Notable speakers on this day included Trump’s sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, as well as Donald Jr.’s fiancée Kimberly Guilfoyle and his daughter Kai. Conservative commentator Tucker Carlson also delivered a speech during the convention.
Monday’s focus was on the economy, while Tuesday brought discussions on safety and law enforcement to the forefront.
CBS News is providing live coverage of the RNC, presenting viewers with up-to-date information on the proceedings.
Let’s dive into some of the fact-checks that have been conducted on statements made by key figures at the convention. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott claimed that around 11 million immigrants have crossed the southern border under President Biden’s watch. However, it is important to clarify that the number of encounters reported by U.S. Customs and Border Protection since 2021 does not directly translate to individual people, as some migrants may have crossed multiple times. Additionally, not all migrants who are processed are allowed to remain in the U.S. It is also noteworthy that the U.S. has carried out over 4 million deportations, expulsions, and returns of migrants during the specified period.
While the exact number of migrants who have evaded capture remains unknown, an estimate suggests that about 1.7 million migrants could fall into this category since the 2021 fiscal year. Similar claims were made by Sen. Ted Cruz on the second day of the convention.
Gov. Greg Abbott also asserted that under President Trump, the U.S. experienced the lowest level of illegal border crossings in approximately four decades. This statement holds true for the year 2017, as data from U.S. Border Patrol confirms a 46-year low in apprehensions at the southern border during that period. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that the numbers fluctuated in subsequent years, with 2019 witnessing a spike in apprehensions. By the time Trump left office in 2020, illegal immigration levels had risen compared to when he first took office.
Another statement that underwent fact-checking was made by Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance, who claimed that China and cartels are responsible for sending fentanyl across the U.S. border, exacerbating addiction issues. This claim, while true, requires some context. Mexican cartels are indeed the primary distributors of finished fentanyl in the U.S., with China serving as the main supplier of precursor chemicals used in the drug’s production. However, the fentanyl crisis dates back several years, resulting in a surge in drug overdose deaths since around 2016. Recent reports indicate a slight decrease in synthetic opioid-related fatalities in 2023.
It is also worth noting that a significant percentage of individuals sentenced for fentanyl trafficking in 2023 were U.S. citizens, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of the issue.
Our fact-checkers at CBS News are dedicated to providing accurate information and context to ensure that viewers are well-informed about the statements made by speakers at the 2024 Republican National Convention. Stay tuned for more updates and analyses as the event progresses.
